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Timeline

12 Carthage Christians Martyred

Dan Graves, MSL

Vigellius Saturninus, the proconsul (Roman administrator) of North
Africa in 180 A.D., spoke generously. "You can have the forgiveness of
our Lord the Emperor if only you return to your senses," he said.

Speratus, one of twelve Christians who faced him, replied for the
rest. "We have never done evil; we have not lent ourselves to wrong; we
have never spoken ill, but when ill-treated we have given thanks, for we
pay heed to our Emperor."

Evidently Saturninus was stung by that reply. "We too are religious,
and our religion is simple," he said defensively. "We swear by the
genius of our Lord the Emperor, and pray for his welfare, as you also
ought to do."

Speratus offered to instruct Saturninus in true simplicity of
worship, but the proconsul brushed him off and turned to the other
offenders. "Abandon this way of thinking," he commanded.

Speratus reminded Saturninus that to murder and to lie were the real
evils, not the Christian faith. Saturninus ignored him and addressed the
other Christians. "Don't share his folly!" he urged them. But the others
(five were women) responded as firmly as Speratus.

Cittinus said, "We have no other to fear, save only our Lord God, who
is in heaven." Donata added, "Honor Caesar as Caesar; but it is God we
fear." Vestia declared, "I am a Christian." Secunda assured the
proconsul, "What I am, that I wish to be."

Saturninus turned back to Speratus. "Do you persist in being a
Christian?" he asked.

Speratus never wavered. "I am a Christian," he replied, and all the
others agreed with him.

Saturninus offered them time to reconsider. To that dangerous bait
Speratus answered, "In a matter so plain, we don't need to
consider."

Saturninus changed the direction of his inquiry. What were the
documents he had found in Speratus lock box? he asked curiously.

"Books and letters of Paul," answered Speratus.

The proconsul made one last effort to change the minds of the
Christians. When he saw that they would not bend, he read his decision
from a tablet. Heralds then announced his decree: "Speratus, Nartzalus,
Cittinus, Veturius, Felix, Aquilinus, Laetantius, Januaria, Generosa,
Vestia, Donata, and Secunda, I have ordered to be executed."

The Christians responded with joy. "Thanks be to God," they
exclaimed. This was their chance to show their love for Jesus! On this day, July 17, 180, they were beheaded for
the sake of Christ, at Scilli, near Carthage, North Africa.

Bibliography:

Aland, Kurt. Saints and Sinners; men and ideas in the early
church. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1970.